Title 

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: An Autopsy-based Diagnosis in Sudden Neonatal Death.

Authors

Rupjyoti Medhi, Pankaj S Ghormade, Swapnil Akhade, Bhoj Kumar Sahu, Nighat Hussain

 Abstract

In the age of advanced medical facilities and diagnostic equipment, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) poses a challenge to the medical fraternity, specifically its detection. The last decade's overall survival rates have improved significantly. The significant contribution to that higher percentage of survivors is from the symptomatic cases detected at birth. Asymptomatic patients remain unnoticed, and later perceived only in the stage of no pediatric surgeons’ return to treat the defect. This case of type 2 Bochdalek CDH highlights the importance of considering an asymptomatic scaphoid abdomen as a potential CDH that needs medical intervention. The hour’s need is to start considering asymptomatic scaphoid abdomen in neonates as potential cases of CDH. These babies escape the so-called "requirement" for early diagnostic procedures, increasing the burden for the treating physicians and surgeons at the later stage, contributing to otherwise avoidable Neonatal Mortality. Herewith we present a case of sudden neonatal death and CDH diagnosed at Autopsy with its characteristic findings.

keywords 

Autopsy, Neonatal Mortality, Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital.

DOI